Despite the huge rise in the approval (81%) and trust (82%) ratings of PRRD, his detractors and critics continue to flail away in a stupid way.
They cannot accept that their former boss, who sat indolently ensconced in the comfort of Malacanang watching events as they pass by, has been incomparably overcome in performance and leadership by a relatively unknown ‘probinsiyano’ city mayor.
This type of opposition, led by the Yellow Party, is the kind that is unwanted in a country that grossly needs to be united, instead of being polarized and torn asunder by political mudslinging.
As most world-renowned successful entrepreneurs and businessmen believe and practice: “Nothing in the world can bother you as much as your own state of mind. If others seem to bother you with their ideas and thoughts, do not forget it is your mind that keeps telling you all these. Therefore, clear your mind and focus on positive things.”
The Duterte government inherited so much negative baggage and trash from its predecessor whose family – and fanatical followers – eternally claim its ascendancy from the ouster of the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos, a song they have sung in the parliament of the streets to fan the flames of pseudo-nationalism alive.
The menacing rise in illegal drugs trafficking and its consequent corruptive influence in all agencies and branches of government during the past regime have caused unwarranted grief and untold suffering among the victims (most of them youths) and their families which is being rectified with boldness and swift action by the incumbent government.
As PRRD engages all these problems with courage and firmness, we – the citizens – must not be so numbed and absent-minded as to allow these negative conditions to permeate their surroundings and prevail.
Filipinos must get involved in the sculpting of a new brave, just and progressive modus vivendi, not a half-interested existence that is oblivious to the present circumstances, political and otherwise.
The citizens make up the State; without them, as the governed, there is no government. This is how the argument proceeds.
I would like to make Singapore as a parallel example. With a decisive leader in Lee Kuan Yew, the tiny city-state has evolved into one of the most progressive countries in the world and one of the least corrupt, too.
For the record, Singapore, from Third World to First, has risen to the top pf of the Global Competition Index (always fighting for the number one spot). It is also tops on surveys in government transparency and ease of doing business, an area which is somewhat strange to our government systems and procedures.
Just days ago, three Custom employees were caught on CCTV receiving bribes to get brokers’ documents done ahead of the pack.
The LKY concept of governance is not exactly being copied by PRRD but that straightening out and fixing the corrupt bureaucracy must be the goal and vision.
Singapore got rid of negative concepts, thoughts and views amidst a racial ethnic mix because LKY implanted a positive seed among its citizens that has, until today, become the pillar of a successful national discipline.
In Singapore, prosperity came at a price. So?
Filipinos must be enlightened to see in full what PRRD wants to achieve for his country and people.
His vision cannot come to full fruition if there are more negative thinkers in our midst who are desperately trying to pull down PRRD and his duly- constituted authority. This is ‘talangka’ mentality at its hypocritical worst.
My point is this: If Singapore, which was then being given little chance of survival, got past all through its struggles and suffering, why can’t we even duplicate, if not surpass, what our Southeast Asian neighbor has achieved?
We have the natural resources, the manpower, the tools, to shape our nation.
But first, we must boot out the negative thinkers. Out, you, devils. Go! (Email your feedback to fredlumba@yahoo.com.) Jer. 29:13. GOD BLESS THE PHILIPPINES!
